Archive for April 2011

There is no doubt that Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him) is our beloved prophet but this post is to remind us to avoid over exaggerating a prophet to a point where someone becomes a figure of worship.

Quran on making no distinction between prophets

The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in God, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), “We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers” and they say, “We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all).” ( Quran 2:285)

Evidence from Hadith

Narrated ‘Umar: I heard the Prophet saying, “Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of God and His Apostle.” Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 654

The Prophet said, “None of you should say that I am better than Yunus (i.e. Jonah).” (Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 624)

The choice of Jonah here is significant. Jonah is known to have made a terrible mistake. The idea probably is that Muhammad is not to be raised even above Jonah. (peace be upon both)

A person came to God’s Messenger and said: “O, the best of creation”; thereupon God’s Messenger said: “He is Ibrahim.” (Muslim, Book 030, Number 5841.)

In another tradition, a Jew swears “by him who gave Moses superiority over all human beings!” A Muslim slaps him, whereupon the Jew goes to the Prophet and complains. The Prophet was angry with the Muslim and said:

“Don’t give superiority to any prophet amongst God’s prophets, for when the trumpet will be blown, everyone on the earth and in the heavens will become unconscious except those whom God will exempt. The trumpet will be blown for the second time and I will be the first to be resurrected to see Moses holding God’s Throne. I will not know whether the unconsciousness which Moses received on the Day of Tur has been sufficient for him, or he has got up before me.” [This may give the impression that Moses is superior to all the other prophets. In order to counter this impression, in some versions the Prophet adds:] “And I do not say that there is anybody who is better than Yunus bin Matta. (Prophet Jonah)” Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 626, Muslim Book 030, Number 5853).